Cage for removably enclosing coupled electrical plugs

ABSTRACT

A hinged cage which is positionable over coupled electrical plugs. The opposed ends of the cage, when closed, provide restricted openings precluding a withdrawal of the plugs. A variation includes one plug exposing end having a slotted ear thereon selectively lockable to a wall receptacle.

United States Patent [191 LaCoursiere, Sr. et al.

[ CAGE FOR REMOVABLY ENCLOSING COUPLED ELECTRICAL PLUGS [76] Inventors: Peter A. LaCoursiere, Sr., Rt. 1,

Box 1262, Grandview, Wash. 98930; Peter A. LaCoursiere, Jr., Box 692, Goldendale, Wash. 98620 [22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 401,154

[52] US. Cl. 339/75 P [51] Int. Cl. H0lr 13/54 [58] Field of Search 339/59 L, 75-85, 339/93 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,199,560 5/1940 Faller 339/76 2,266,560 12/1941 Mansfield 339/77 [451 Mar. 18, 1975 3,059,209 10/1962 Bird 339/75 P 3,594,681 7/1971 Weiss 339/59 L 3,668,602 6/1972 Griffin 339/59 L FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 158,203 l/1953 Australia 339/75 T Primary ExaminerJoseph H. McGlynn Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A hinged cage which is positionable over coupled electrical plugs. The opposed ends of the cage, when closed, provide restricted openings precluding a withdrawal of the plugs. A variation includes one plug exposing end having a slotted ear thereon selectively lockable to a wall receptacle.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CAGE FOR REMOVABLY ENCLOSING COUPLED ELECTRICAL PLUGS The present invention generally relates to electrical apparatus, and is more particularly concerned with means for retaining electric plugs either coupled to each other or to wall receptacles.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide a unique cage structure for enclosing coupled electric plugs in a manner whereby accidental disengagement interconnected by elongated outwardly bowed bars.

connected with respective sections for movement therewith. The configuration of the bars is such so as to snugly receive the plugs while the rings are of a reduced diameter confining the plugs and precluding a longitudinal withdrawal of the plugs from the cage. The rings and bars are coated with an appropriate nonconductive rubber or plastic and in fact can be embedded within a completely enclosing flexible housing which, upon a mounting and closing of the cage, completely conceals the plugs. In a contemplated variation, one ring can be enlarged so as to expose a male plug therethrough for engagement within a wall receptacle, the enlarged ring having a slotted ear rigid therewith which can be locked to the screw for the receptacle cover plate. This in turn locks the cage to the receptacle whereby a withdrawal of the plug is precluded.

Construction of the cage in the manner proposed provides a highly rigid durable unit capable of economical manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cage in closed operative position about a coupled pair of electrical plugs;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 2--2 in FIG. 1 and illustrating the cage in both its open and closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing enclosed cage;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 and illustrating the housed cage in both open and closed position; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a variation of the cage adapted for locking to a wall receptacle.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral is used to generally designate a plug encasing cage constructed in accordance with the present invention. This cage 10 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced rings 12 interconnected by a plurality of elongated bars 14.

The rings 12 are of a size so as to allow passage of the electric cord 16 therethrough while precluding passage of the associated plug 18 with the spacing between the two rings 12 being just sufficient so as to accommodate a pair of coupled plugs 18 whereby a disengagement of the plugs is prevented.

' In construction, each of the rings 12 includes a pair of semi-circular sections 20 hingedly joined at one end as at 22 and mounting cooperating snaplatch portions 24 at the other end thereof. The longitudinal bars 14 extend between corresponding ring sections on each of the two rings 12, preferably two bars 14 being associated with each ring section 20.

In order to accommodate the relatively larger plugs 18 between the rings 12, it will be noted that the major central portion of each bar 14 is outwardly set relative to the end rings 12 with the end portionspf the bars 14 curving inwardly to engage and be rigidly affixed to the corresponding bar sections.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, the manner in which the cage opens and closes will be more readily appreciated. With regard to the latch ends 24, such include cooperating cam faces so as to allow for a quick snap closing thereof with a subsequent disengagement of the latch portions requiring a slight flexing of the rings in an obvious. manner.

The cage 10 is finished by providing a nonconductive rubber or plastic coating 26 on the rings 12 and bars 14, this coating being sufficiently flexibly resilient so as to enable the necessary hinging action to open and close the cage.

. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the invention also contemplates the provision of a complete housing 28 about the cage. This housing, formed of appropriate non-conductive rubber or plastic. completely embeds the various rings and bars as will be readily appreciated from FIG. 4 with the opening and closing of the cage being accommodated by a longitudinal slit 30 provided through the housing in alignment with the longitudinally aligned ring latches 24. Utilizing such a complete housing 28, it will be appreciated that the plugs 18 will be for the most part concealed presenting a more pleas ing appearance should the coupled plugs be in an exposed area.

FIG. 5 illustrates a form of cage 32 particularly adapted for use at a Wall receptacle 34. The basic construction of the cage 32 is similar to that of the cage.l0 in that spaced hinged and selectively latchable rings 36 and 38, interconnected by longitudinally extending bars 40, are provided. The cage 32 differs in that the inner ring 38 is ofa size so as to expose a male plug 42 sufficiently so as to enable a firm seating of the prongs 44 thereof into the appropriate female receptacle openings 46 in the wall receptacle 34. In addition. the cage 32 includes a rigid slotted ear 48 fixed to the inner ring 38 and so located as to align with the cover plate mounting screw 50 which is loosened so as to allow for an introduction of the slotted ear 48 therebeneath. The screw 50 is then retightened or locked which in turn fixes the cage 32 to the wall receptacle 34 and locks the plug or plugs therein to the receptacle. In this form of the invention, it will be appreciated that the length of the cage 32 will depend on whether the cage is to retain a combined plug and adapter as suggested in FIG. 5, or a relatively shorter single male plug. In either case, the outer ring 36 will be of a smaller size than the inner ring 38 so as to, while allowing passage of the plug cord therethrough, preclude longitudinal withdrawal of the outermost plug. This will of course require a slight inturning of the outer ends of the side bars 40 prior to fixed attachment to the ring 36.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly unique retaining device for coupled electrical plugs has been defined. This device, while of a basically simple and economical construction, is highly effective in positively retaining coupled plugs against accidental disengagement.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A retaining cage for coupled electrical plugs comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced rings, elongated bars extending between and rigidly fixed to said rings, and means providing for a lateral introduction of said cage over coupled electrical plugs with the plug engaged current conductors projecting outward of the cage through said rings, one of said rings being of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the cage defined by the cage bars to preclude movement of a cage received plug therethrough, said bars, at the end corresponding to the one ring of lesser diameter, turning inward to engage this ring, the second ring also being of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the bar defined cage.

2. The cage of claim 1 wherein the means providing for a lateral introduction of the cage over the plugs includes formation of each ring in a pair of sections hingedly connected at one end and incorporating releasable latch means at the second ends, said bars being engaged between corresponding sections on the two rings for movement therewith.

3. The cage of claim 1 wherein said rings and bars are provided with a non-conductive coating.

4. The cage of claim 3 wherein said cage is completely enclosed by a non-conductive housing, the ring and bar coating constituting a portion of said housing.

5. A. retaining cage for coupled electrical plugs comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced rings, elongated bars extending between and rigidly fixed to said rings, means providing for a lateral introduction of said cage over coupled electrical plugs with the plug engaged current conductors projecting outward of the cage through said rings, one of said rings being of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the cage defined by the cage bars to preclude movement of a cage received plug therethrough, said bars, at the end corresponding to the one ring of lesser diameter, turning inward to engage this ring, the second ring being of substantially the same diameter as the internal diameter of the cage, and a rigid slotted ear fixed to the second ring and projecting outwardly therefrom for engagement over the cover plate mounting screw of a wall receptacle for a fixing of the cage thereto.

6. A retaining cage for coupled electrical plugs comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced rings, elongated bars extending between and rigidly fixed to said rings, each of said rings comprising a pair of sections hingedly connected at one end and incorporating releasable latch means at the second ends, said bars engaging between corresponding sections on the two rings for movement therewith about the hinged section ends whereby an outward swinging of the sections relative to each other so as to allow for a lateral positioning of the cage over coupled plugs can be effected, at least one ring being of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the cage defined by the cage bars to preclude movement of a cage received plug therethrough, said bars, at the end corresponding to the one ring of lesser diameter, turning inward to engage this ring, and a nonconductive flexible housing enclosing the rings and bars.

7. The cage of claim 6 wherein the second ring is also of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the cage defined by the cage bars. 

1. A retaining cage for coupled electrical plugs comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced rings, elongated bars extending between and rigidly fixed to said rings, and means providing for a lateral introduction of said cage over coupled electrical plugs with the plug engaged current conductors projecting outward of the cage through said rings, one of said rings being of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the cage defined by the cage bars to preclude movement of a cage received plug therethrough, said bars, at the end corresponding to the one ring of lesser diameter, turning inward to engage this ring, the second ring also being of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the bar defined cage.
 2. The cage of claim 1 wherein the means providing for a lateral introduction of the cage over the plugs includes formation of each ring in a pair of sections hingedly connected at one end and incorporating releasable latch means at the second ends, said bars being engaged between corresponding sections on the two rings for movement therewith.
 3. The cage of claim 1 wherein said rings and bars are provided with a non-conductive coating.
 4. The cage of claim 3 wherein said cage is completely enclosed by a non-conductive housing, the ring and bar coating constituting a portion of said housing.
 5. A. retaining cage for coupled electrical plugs comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced rings, elongated bars extending between and rigidly fixed to said rings, means providing for a lateral introduction of said cage over coupled electrical plugs with the plug engaged current conductors projecting outward of the cage through said rings, one of said rings being of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the cage defined by the cage bars to preclude movement of a cage received plug therethrough, said bars, at the end corresponding to the one ring of lesser diameter, turning inward to engage this ring, the second ring being of substantially the same diameter as the internal diameter of the cage, and a rigid slotted ear fixed to the second ring and projecting outwardly therefrom for engagement over the cover plate mounting screw of a wall receptacle for a fixing of the cage thereto.
 6. A retaining cage for coupled electrical plugs comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced rings, elongated bars extending between and rigidly fixed to said rings, each of said rings comprising a pair of sections hingedly connected at one end and incorporating releasable latch means at the second ends, said bars engaging between corresponding sections on the two rings for movement therewith about the hinged section ends whereby an outward swinging of the sections relative to each other so as to allow for a lateral positioning of the cage over coupled plugs can be effected, at least one ring being of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the cage defined by the cage bars to preclude movement of a cage received plug therethrough, said bars, at the end corresponding to the one ring of lesser diameter, turning inward to engage this ring, and a non-conductive flexible housing enclosing the rings and bars.
 7. The cage of claim 6 wherein the second ring is also of a lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the cage defined by the cage bars. 